Heating method



Sept. 18, 1945.

R. R. HAUGH HEATING METHOD Filed nec. 16. 1939 4 sheets-sheet s ill Patented Sept. 18, 1945 HEATING METHOD Raymond R. Haugh, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Vernon C. Usher, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 16, 1939, Serial No. 309,691

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a heating method and apparatus and more particularly to the treatment of materials with superheated steam or other gaseous heating medium.

An object of this invention is to provide for the heating and drying of materials. A further object is to provide a simple and easy method for preparing dried food products. Another objectA is to provide colored ilour and egg products. Still an-other object is to gelatinize our. Yet another object is to pasteurize and lsterilize various materials, particularly food products. A further object is to provide for quick and rapid drying of materials without causing deterioration thereof. Another object is to provide for the separation of treated materials immediately after drying. Still a further object is to provide a method and apparatus for treating materials with superheated steam. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following specication and drawings, in whicho Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a structure embodying my invention, with the insulation on the container shown in section; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional View showing thepremixing chamber; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View of the inlet system; Fig. 4 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of a modified form of apparatus; Fig. 5 is a sectional View along the line 5 yof Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of the portion of the apparatus of Fig. 4, indicated by the line 6 6; Fia. 7 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of a modified form of mixing chamber; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional View of the same chamber; Fig. 9 is a sectional View taken along the line 9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a side elevational View of a modiied form of mixing chamber, including the chamber shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9; and Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line I I of Fig. 10.

The method and apparatus are particularly adapted for the drying of food products. My invention makes it possible to cause such drying to occur quickly and practically instantaneously. This is true over a wide range of temperatures which may be chosen for the operation.

The temperature and the pressure may be varied according to the material used and the result which it is desired to produce. For example, in the treatment of flour, it is desirable to sterilize and color the flour. Sterilized flour is of great value in the baking field, since a sterile media is provided for the fermentation of the dough, while at the same time both the fermentation of the dough and the flavor of the finished product is readily controlled. In this sterilizing operation, it is usually desirable to use a relatively high temperature. For example, the ilcur is Apreferably brought to a temperature of 212 F.

relatively low temperature such as F. and

under a high Vacuum. The same is true when it is desired to produce a dried soluble yeast product.

My invention is useful in the treatment of vegetable and cereal iiours such as Wheat flour or pumpkin, soy bean, pea or potato flour. Meat and fish l-ours, as well as products such as cocoanut our, .banana our, and miscible fruit lours may also be readily treated in accordance with my invention.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a container I0 and an elongated mixing chamber I I associated with the container are both provided with insulation I2 to prevent heat transfer therethrough. To the upper end of the chamber I I is secured a'pipe I3 joining and supporting the inlet system I4.

As seen particularly in Fig. 3, the inlet system I4 includes a casing I5 maintained in position by flanged annular retaining members I6 and I'I and resilient gaskets I8, I9 and 20. The casing I5 threadedly receives a pipe 2| which is secured in position by a washer 22 and lock nut 23. Threaded to the inner portion of the pipe 2l is a nozzle 24 provided at its end with a small orice or jet 25 which extends into the mixing chamber I I.

Into one side of the casing I5 the steam inlet pipe 21 is threadedly inserted and is separated from the nozzle 24 by the insulating member 28. The lower portion 29 of the insulating member 28 is so constructed as to approach the walls of the casing I5, leaving a small peripheral opening 3U communicating with the chamber II The portion 29 is provided at its lower end with an inwardly turned flange 3l which engages the washer 32 encircling the nozzle 24.. The insulating member 28 is preferably spaced away from the nozzle 24 in order that the air space between the two parts may increase the insulating effect. The pipe 2'I communicates at its other end with a source of superheated steam or other "gaseous heating medium (not shown).

As seen particularly in Fig. 2, the pipe 2l is joined to the T-shaped tube 34 by a conventional joint 35. The opening 36 serves to provide for the introduction of steam into the pipe 2| and is connected to the steam inlet conduit by a fitting 38. The other opening 39 of the 'IT-shaped tube 34 receives an inlet pipe 4% which is nxed inl position by the air-tight seal of the closure member 4I.

The inlet pipe 4S) extends downwardly through the T-shaped tube 34 and terminates adjacent the portion 42 of the pipe 2l` which is reduced in cross section, thus forming in effect a Venturi passage. The inlet pipe communicates with the hopper 43, from which the ow of material iscontrolled by the valve 44. The material tobe treated is thus placed in the hopper 43 prior to the operation of the apparatus.

The container it! is preferably provided with an outlet pipe 45 having a manually controlled valve 46. By means of this outlet the container may be evacuated or partially evacuated during the' operation of the apparatus. A gate valve 41 at the lower end of the container permits the removal of treated material.

In operation, the material to be treated may be placed in the hopper 43. The apparatus is adapted for use with any type of materialvwhich it is desired to-heat or to dry and is particularly useful for the treatment of flour. From the hopper 43 the our or other material passes through the inlet pipe 49 to the Venturi passage 42. At the same time, the superheated steam, flowing from the conduit 38, reaches the Venturi passage 42 by the pipe 2 l. Only a relatively small amount of superheated steam is permitted to flow through the pipe 2l into contact with` the flour. However, the quantity of steam should be sui'licient to cause gelatinization of the flour.

From the pipe 2i the gelatinizedI ou-r passes to the nozzle 24 and out throughV the jet 25 and into the mixing chamber il'. superheated steam flowing from the pipe 2 passes through the annular opening 3i! and is brought into contact with the flour. Since theA opening throughy which the superheated' steam is introduced surrounds the ilour jet, the steam servesto keep the flour from coming in contact with the walls of the mixing chamber Il'.

The mixture of flour and superheated'v steam passes downwardly through the chamber IlV into the container l2. In the course of this movement the nour is thoroughly dried by the steam, and a large portion of the steam is desuperheated.

The flour is then collectedv in the lower portion` of the container and the desuperheated steam removed through the pipe 45, which may be subjected to a vacuum. If the container is subjected to a vacuum, the action is, ofcourse, more rapid, since the superh'eat ofthe steam becomes greater.

The treated material may be removed from the` container I' by means of the gatev valve 41.

By means of this treatment with superheated steam, the our is sterilized and scalded' and may, in addition, if desired, be colored. The superheated steam quickly raises the temperature of thel material with which it is broughtI in contact and may after theA heating operationY be readily removed from such contact.

The premixing' ofthe flour with super-heated steam in the chamber 47Tav serves to add moisture to the flour and to cause it to be gelatinized.

Thereafter, when the gelatinized flour is treated with an excess of superheated steam, the moisture in the flour is vaporized and the flour completely dried as Well as sterilized. If a large amount of superheated steam is used or if the temperature of the steam is unusually high, the hour may readily be slightly carbonized t0 cause it to be colored. At the same time the flour is toasted and its navor improved.

By quickly and uniformly raising the temperature of the flour in this manner the our is sterilized and bacteria and other organisms destroyed Obviously, the same process may be used to sterilize vegetables, fruit, legumes, tobacco, and' other materials.

lIhe temperature to which the steam is heated is preferably iny the neighborhood of 400 F., but may, if desired, be considerably lower. In fact, when used with a relatively high vacuum, the steam has been found to satisfactorily perform its function at a temperature of to 200 F. In general, it may be said that the temperature of the steam, the pressure in the container, and reaction of time necessary may be varied considerably, depending upon the purpose which is to b-e accomplished.

The modification of my invention as shown in Figs. 4, 5 ando is particularly adapted for use with liquids and may be very satisfactorily used for the drying of material; In this modification as shown, the premixing chamber 48 with the Venturi passage andthe inlet system 49 are substantially the same as the premixing chamber 34 and inlet system I4, respectively. lIhe container 50i is also very similar to the container lil,v as previously described. However, the container 50l is provided with a.` filter or screen 5I preferably made of cloth, which encircles the main portion of the container 50 and serves to aid in collecting theA treated: products.

Thelter 5I may be secured to the container 5!)- in any suitable manner". As illustrated, a pair of dat annular rings 52 and* 5'3 are provided with outwardly turned flanges 54 and 55 by means of which the rings are' secured to the container 53. At their opposite ends the rings 52 and 53 are provided with outwardly turned flanges 56 and 51 over which theA filter may pass. Additional rings, 58` andA 5.9', fitting' tightly upon the rings 52 and 53, serveA to: retain the cloth lter in position.

The container 50 is provided with an opening 60 by means of which the container may be subjected tov evacuation. The opening 60 is preferably positioned withinthe container insuch a manner that any material iny the container will have to pass through the ilterA 5|: in order to reach the opening 6B. A gate valve 6|, at the lower end of the container 50, permits the removal of the nished product.

In the operation of myinventi'on shown in the modification of Figs'. 4, 55 and 6,- milk' or other liquid is delivered through the pipe 62 to the mixing chamberv 48 into` which: a small quantity of superheatedA steam isv simultaneously introduced. Then steam and milk are mixedin the chamber 48, quickly raising the' temperature kof the milk.` The quantity of steam introduced is preferably such` that th'e milk will not be heated above D-200 F. The premiXed or preheated m11k` is then passed to the inlet system 49v where it is brought into contact with@ an excess of superheated steam. in a' manner'si'milar to thatdescrlbed in connection with the our and the inlet system I4. The contact with the superheated steam causes the milk to be rapidly dried and the steam desuperheated.

Preferably the milk is caused to flow through the pipe 62, chamber 48 and inlet system 49 under a substantial pressure. In this manner the milk passing through the jet of the inlet system is sprayed into the mixing chamber and a more thorough and rapid mixing accomplished. The milk product is collected in the lower portion of the container while the desuperheated steam passes out through the opening 60.

If desired, it is possible to eliminate the step of premixing or preheating the milk with superheated steam. Instead of this operation the milk may be slowly and carefully heated by any suitable means to a temperature not in excess of 180-190 F. and then passed directly into the inlet system of my apparatus. On the other hand, in some instances it may be desirable to dispense with the preheatin'g operation entirely.

As in the case of the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, this last described modification may be used under various conditions of time, pressure and temperature, depending upon the results which it is .desired to produce.

The modification of my invention shown in Figs. '1, 8 and 9 relates to a mixing chamber of a type which it is possible to substitute for the mixing chamber I I shown in Fig. 1.

One of the chief difficulties encountered in the heating and drying of liquids is that of preventing the liquid from drying on the walls of the mixing chamber. My modified mixing chamber eliminates this and other difficulties and is particularly adapted for use in the mixing of liquids with superheated steam.

My modified mixing chamber includes a casing or pipe 65 equipped with a steam inlet pipe 66 and a liquid inlet pipe 61, the latter being provided with a small jet opening at its end. The pipe 6B is joined to the casing 65 by means of any suitable fitting 69. The casing 65 receives a tube 'I0 which is secured in position by ttings 1| and 12.

The tube 1.0 is provided with a series of spaced openings 13 throughout its length. These openings 13 communicate with the inside of the tube 10 at a rather sharp angle to the surface of the walls thereof and are adapted to permit the introduction of gas into said tube, the gas flowing in the same direction as that of the movement of liquid within the tube.

The openings 13 preferably extend completely around the tube 10. In effect, this means that the tube 1|] must consist of a series of sections. Thus the section 14 is provided with anA inwardly tapered lower end, while the section 15 has an outwardly tapered upper end. The sections 14 and 15 are joined by straps 16 on the ring members 18 or by any other suitable type of mount.. ing. The lower end of the section 15 is also tapered inwardly and cooperates with the outwardly tapered upper end of the next section 15 to provide for the next lower opening 13.

In operation, the liquid passes through the inlet pipe 61 and is ejected from the jet 68 in the form of a spray. Simultaneously superheated steam or other gas heating medium flows into the apparatus through the inlet pipe 66, being received within the chamber 1.1 around the tube 10. The superheated steam thereafter passes into the tube 10 through the annular openings 13, a portion of the steam being successively ejected through each of said openings 13. In this manner the superheated steam is mixed with the liquid within the tube. i

Since the superheated steam is received along the inner surface of the tube 1U and moves in the same direction Within the tube as does the liquid therein, the spray of liquid within the tube is encircled by the superheated steam and prevented from coming into contact with the walls of the tube 10. This feature causes the liquid to pass into the container without accumulating on the walls of the mixing chamber and without being subjected to deteriorating effects.

Theinvention shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 may be further modified as seen in Figs. 10 and 11. As seen particularly in Fig. 10, the construction of the modification of Figs. 7, 8 and 9 includes a casing 65, a steam inlet 66 joined tothe casing by the fitting 69, and a liquid inlet 61. 'Ihe casing is maintained in position by fittings 1l and 12 at the upper and lower ends thereof.

The tube 15 extends through the casing 65,

and, in the modification shown in Figs. 10 and 11, may extend downwardly through the casing 19. The casing 19 may be secured at its upper end to the fitting 12 just below the casing 65, and at its lower end to the fitting 80. An outlet pipe 8|, adapted to be secured to any suitable means for drawing a vacuum, communicates with the casing 19 through the fitting 82. Within the casing 'I9 the tube. 15 may be broken into a series of sections 83, 84 and 85 similar in construction to the sections of the tube 15 within the casing 65. As inthe casing 65, these sections are joined by straps 86 mounted on the ring members 81. The lower end of the tube 15 is joined to the nozzle 24, which nozzle is also shown in the preferred embodiment of my invention as seen in Fig. 3.

In operation, the steam and the material to 40 be dried are mixed within the tube 15 within the casing 65. The mixture flows downwardly through the tube 1.5 to that portion of the tube which is enclosed by the casing 19. At this stage of the operation, the steam, having already been in contact with the material to be dried, has begun to cool and shows a tendency to condense. However, the vacuum drawn in the casing 19 through the outlet 8| serves to reduce the pressurel through the openings between the sections of the tube 15. Because of the type of 'construction used in these sections, the mixture does not escape out of the tube 15 into the chamber 19 to any appreciable extent, but it is nevertheless possible to withdraw a portion of the water vapor and reduce the pressure within the tube 15. This operation serves to increase the superheat of the steam and to increase its effectiveness.

Of course, in the preferred embodiment of my invention, as seen particularly in Fig. 1, it is possible to reduce the pressure in the chamber I0 through the vacuum outlet 45. However, the modification of my invention shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is particularly adapted to prevent any appreciable differential in pressure existing between the tube 15 and the chamber l as would normally be the tendency because of the cooling which occurs in the tube 15.

While there are shown and described certain embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is intended to= claim al1 novelty inherentin the invention as broadly as permissible, in View of the prior art..

I claim:

1. A method for drying liquids, comprising passing preheated liquidgin spray form into and longitudinally through a casing, annularly introducing` superheated steam into the: casing at relatilvely and definitely spaced intervals throughout the length thereof in the same direction of travel of said matter and in a manner to eifect flowing of the steam over and longitudinally along the linner faces of the side Walls of the casing, and

finally, passing the dried matter from the discharge endof the casing.

2.. A method for drying liquids, comprising passing preheated liquid in spray form into and longitudinaliy through a casing, annularly introducing: superheated steaml into the casing at relatively and denitely spaced intervals throughout the length thereof in the same direction of travel of said liquid and in a manner to effect flow of the steam entirely over and along the inner faces of the side Walls of the casing, and finally, passing the dried matter from the discharge end of the casing.

3. A method for drying liquids, comprising passing a liquid in spray form into and longitudinally through a casing, annularly introducing superheated steam into the casing kat relatively and definitely spaced intervals throughout the length thereof in the same direction of travel of said. mixture and in a manner to cause longitudinal flow of the steam over and along the inner faces of the side Walls of the casing and from its discharge end.

4..Y A. method for drying liquids, comprising passing preheated liquid in spray form Vinto and longitudinally through a casing, annuiarly introducing superheated steam into the casing at relatively spaced intervals throughout the length thereof. whereby to provide succeeding drying zones and; causing said steam to ovv longitudinally through the casing over and along the inner faces of its side Walls, and finally, dischargingy the dried matter from the discharge end of the` casing.k

'5. A method for drying liquids, comprising passing, ai liquid in spray form into and longitudinally through a casing, annularly introducing superheated steam intoV the casing at relatively and' definitely spaced intervals throughout the length. thereof' in the same direction of travel of said liquid and in a manner to cause longitudinal l'ow of the steam over and along the inner faces of they side walls of the casing, the pressure of said steam being greater than that of the sprayed liquid, and finally, passing the matter from the discharge end of the casing beyond the points of introduction of the steam thereinto.

6.. A, method for drying liquids, comprising passing liquid in spray form into and longitudinally through a casing, annularly introducing superheated steam into the' casing at relatively and denitely spaced intervals throughout the length thereof in the direction of travel of said liquid and in a manner to cause longitudinal flow of the steam overv and along the inner faces of the side Walls of the casing, evacuating vapors of the superheated steam from the casing at a point in proximity to the discharge end thereof, and finally, passing the dried matter from the discharge end of the casing beyond the point of evacuation of vapors and the points of introduction of superheated steam into the casing.

' RAYMOND R. HAUGH. 

